Dallas Hale was in rare form last night as he hosted a variety of guests to the pre-opening of his newest Shell Shack restaurant located on Henderson Avenue in Dallas which replaces the now shuttered McKinney Avenue location.

Guests were treated to a sampling of the menu which has not changed from its previous location, but the size of the building is noticeably large. It occupies the building which was the Mellow Mushroom which lasted in the location for a mere few months.

Shell Shack is known for its spicy crabs, fresh catfish and oysters in an exciting atmosphere. The concept has resonated with DFW diners, and the restaurant has expanded to Plano, Arlington and Mesquite, with soon-to-open stores in Ft Worth and Denton. Dishes include the always-popular “Boil,” which features fresh crab, shrimp or crawfish, plus potatoes, corn and sausage, all seasoned and spiced to the diner’s content. It’s served in a giant bag for spilling out onto the table and digging in with your hands, making it one of the most fun dining experiences in the metroplex.

The menu also features catfish, oysters and non-seafood favorites like burgers, wings, hushpuppies and hand-cut fries. The kitchen and bar are open late every day to ensure no one goes hungry—or thirsty.

“We’re excited to move Shell Shack into its new home, and are confident that our patrons will enjoy the larger space and comfortable patio,” said Shell Shack founder Dallas Hale. “We hope our Uptown regulars will follow us across the highway, and we look forward to winning over the Henderson neighborhood with our food and service.”

Poke Go Go is a new venture that will focus on raw fish bowls, bringing a taste of the popular trend to McKinney Ave. It will replace the now shuttered Shell Shack on McKinney.

“We love this building and location, and wanted to continue offering something of value to McKinney Ave. Fresh fish is in our blood, so it only made sense to keep doing what we know and love. We’re working on the menu now, and can’t wait to share it with everyone,” Hale told us.